The RP5217 form is a downloadable fill-in PDF available from the NYS Department of Taxation & Finance. Instructions for filling in the form are available at their website. Please note - the 4-part form is no longer available nor is it accepted.

Yes, the County Clerk's office has partnered with Info Quick Solutions (IQS) to provide online records search of deeds, mortgages, and various other records. There is a fee to use this service. For more information and to begin searching our online records, go to the Madison County SearchIQS page.

City/Town/Village clerk offices are the primary resource for marriage certificates. Contact the clerk in the city/town/village where the marriage certificate was obtained or where the ceremony was performed. The County Clerk's office has a small collection of marriage certificates for the following years - 1908 - 1931. These records can be searched for on our public computers. The NYS Department of Health is another resource. Visit their website at NYS Department of Health - Vital Records - Marriage Certificates.

Hunting and fishing licenses may be purchased from local sporting goods stores such as Herb Philipson's, Walmart, and Dick' Sporting Goods. Licenses may also be ordered on line or by phone from the NYS DEC - information available on their website. The County Clerk's office does not sell these licenses.

The Treasurer, located on the second floor of the county office building, collects town/county taxes for the towns of Hamilton & Lenox. The Treasurer also collects past due (delinquent) taxes except for the City of Oneida.

Bed bugs are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, range from 1 millimeter (mm) to 7 mm (roughly the size of Lincoln’s head on a penny), and can live several months without a blood meal.

Bed bug infestations usually occur around or near the areas where people sleep. Their presence is not determined by the cleanliness of the living conditions where they are found. Bed bugs may be found in homes, apartments, shelters, rooming houses, hotels, cruise ships, buses, trains, and dorm rooms.

Bed bugs commonly hide during the day in places like seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, dresser tables, inside cracks or crevices, behind wallpaper, or any other clutter or objects around a bed.

Bed bugs have been shown to be able to travel over 100 feet in a night but tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep.

Bed bugs should not be considered a medical or public health hazard. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Bed bugs can be an annoyance and may cause itching, stress, and loss of sleep. Sometimes the itching can lead to excessive scratching that can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection that may require medical attention.

One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping. However, these bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include:

Bed bugs’ exoskeletons after molting

Bed bugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets

Rusty-colored blood spots due to their blood-filled fecal material that they excrete on the mattress or nearby furniture

It is hard to tell if you’ve been bitten by a bed bug unless you find bed bugs or signs of infestation. Most people do not realize they have been bitten until bite marks appear anywhere from one to several days after the initial bite. The bite may look similar to mosquito or a flea bite - a slightly swollen and red area that may itch and be irritating.

Bed bug bites affect everyone differently. Some people may have no reaction and will not develop bite marks or any other visible signs of being bitten. Other people may be allergic to bed bug bites. These allergic symptoms can include enlarged bite marks, painful swellings at the bite site, and, on rare occasions, anaphylaxis. Bed bug bites usually do not pose a serious medical threat.

The best way to treat a bite is to avoid scratching the area and apply antiseptic creams or lotions and take an antihistamine.

Bed bugs are usually transported from place to place as people travel. The slim flat bodies of bed bugs allow them to hide and fit into the smallest of spaces like in the seams of luggage, overnight bags, folded clothes, bedding, and furniture. Bed bugs can go for long periods of time without a blood meal.

Most people do not realize they are transporting stow-away bed bugs as they travel from location to location, infecting areas as they travel.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157:H7 is a bacterium that can infect people and cause symptoms of bloody diarrhea with abdominal cramps. Persons may experience little or no fever. Although healthy adults typically recover completely from E. coli 0157:H7 a week after exposure, it is important to see a physician immediately if you have symptoms as some people, especially children and the elderly, may develop serious complications leading to kidney damage or even death.

Symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 infection commonly develop within 3 to 4 days of eating contaminated food but may occur less frequently within the wider range of 1 to 10 days. Symptoms may include severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps with little or no fever. Persons infected usually begin to recover from illness in 5 to 10 days. Persons with symptoms of an E coli infection should immediately see a physician as serious complications leading to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or kidney failure can occur.

E. coli infections can be spread in a variety of ways. People can become infected with E. coli 0157:H7 by eating under-cooked, contaminated ground beef or from eating contaminated bean sprouts or fresh, leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach. Infection may occur after drinking raw milk or after swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water. Person-to-person contact is a known mode of transmission as bacteria in loose stool of infected persons can be passed to others if hand washing or hygiene habits are not adequate.

E. coli strains are “fingerprinted” at public health laboratories to determine the sub-type of bacteria. Cases of illness with the same “fingerprint” (DNA pattern) may be associated with the outbreak strain. These results help to identify other related cases of illness as well to help determine the extent of the outbreak.

An outbreak is when there are more cases of a disease then expected in a given area, or among a specific group of people, over a certain period of time. A case of disease is considered part of an outbreak if it is identified as being related to other cases or has a common cause or exposure.

Most people completely recover within 5 to 10 days without antibiotics or other specific treatments. Infected persons that experience life-threatening kidney complications are treated with intensive care and may require blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Antidiarrheal products like Imodium® (loperamide) should not be used. Antibiotics are not used to treat this type of infection. No existing evidence shows antibiotics improve the disease. The use of antibiotics in persons with E. coli infections may lead to serious kidney complications.

Yes. The flu vaccine is safe and will not make you sick. The seasonal flu vaccine has a good safety record. Most people who receive the seasonal flu vaccine do not have any symptoms afterwards; some feel a temporary mild soreness in the arm.

Deer ticks live in shady, moist areas at ground level. They will cling to tall grass, brush and shrubs, usually no more than 18 to 24 inches off the ground. They also live in lawns and gardens, especially at the edges of woods and around old stone walls.

Once a tick gets on the skin, it generally climbs upward until it reaches a protected area.

In tick-infested areas, your best protection is to avoid contact with soil, leaf litter and vegetation. However, if you garden, hike, camp, hunt, work or otherwise spend time in the outdoors, you can still protect yourself:

Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.

Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants.

Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.

We determine if an animal was vaccinated for rabies, should be sent for rabies testing, confined for 10 days, or be quarantined for 6 months. After investigating, we may recommend treatment for people who were exposed.

Yes. The law requires it. Public Health Law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated by 4 months of age. A second vaccination must be given within one year of the first, and actively immunized against rabies thereafter.

Also, if your pet is not vaccinated and bites someone or is bitten by an animal, your pet may be quarantined for 6 months or euthanized at your expense.

Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections.

Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century.

Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting community effort regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life.

Madison County Health Department can assist you in understanding what vaccinations are recommended and at what age for infants, children, adolescents, adults of all ages, and seniors.

If you are not on public water, unless YOU test your water regularly, you do not know if your water is safe to drink, even if it looks, smells, and tastes fine.

Germs (bacteria and viruses) or other contaminants may be getting into your water.

Storm water runoff or chemicals and other elements in the soil and rocks can dissolve in groundwater and may impact your drinking water and this could affect your health.

Germs, chemicals, and other contaminants may cause unpleasant symptoms, such as upset stomach or the runs (diarrhea). Some of the chemicals and elements that may be found in contaminated water may also increase the chance of cancer or may cause other health effects.

Resources

View a list of what we commonly test for based on the New York State Water Quality Standards for Individual Onsite Water Supply Systems (Appendix 75-C (PDF)), as part of our free water testing and education program.

No. The species of mosquito currently associated with the spread of the Zika virus is not found in Madison County.

However, residents traveling to places currently affected by the Zikia virus should consider either avoiding travel to those areas or take strict precautions to prevent mosquito bites to prevent infection. View a map of current Zika affected areas.

Zika virus infection has been linked to serious birth defects and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers infected with Zika virus while pregnant. Zika can be transmitted from an infected pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. More studies are planned to examine this risk. Until more is known and out of an abundance of caution, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the recommendation for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant to consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Residents that traveled recently and experience symptoms common of Zika infection should go to their healthcare provider.

About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika will get sick. For people who get sick, the illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. Severe disease is uncommon.

Yes, most courses have prerequisites. They can be found in the course listing, or in the case of OFPC courses, listed in the OFPC Training Catalog. All NYS OFPC training courses require a Training Authorization Letter signed by the department chief on the first unit of the course.

Yes, registration is now mandatory for all Madison County Emergency Management courses, including fire service, EMS or emergency management courses, unless otherwise noted. All OFPC courses have stated minimum and maximum class sizes, based on safety and the requirements of the course. Mandatory registration provides planners with situational awareness to determine if additional promotion is needed to garner interest or a heavy registration will indicate whether additional courses should be scheduled.

Requests for county or state training are directed to your fire chief. He/she will then discuss requests with the county fire coordinator. If there is enough interest the fire coordinator will schedule a course with OFPC, or in the case of county training, with the county fire instructors. Be sure to regularly visit the training website for updates on training opportunities.

Victims of Violence (VOV) provides free and confidential services to those affected by sexual assault, domestic violence or other violent crimes in Madison County and surrounding communities. Services are available to all victims and their family, regardless of when the abuse or crime occurred or whether they choose to report it to the police. In addition to services provided to victims, the program takes a leadership role in the community by providing education and prevention services on issues related to sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and date violence.

Our goal is to provide the highest quality, evidence-based mental health treatment to each person who walks through our doors. Let us help you get through some of life's most difficult challenges.

To get started with services at Madison County Mental Health Department, visit us at the Veterans Building, Wampsville, NY whenever it is convenient for you from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday! Please bring insurance cards and/or proof of finances. For more information, please call (315) 366-2327 or 1-800-721-2327.

Family Counseling Services is a private, non-profit organization offering professional counseling and prevention services. Mental health and chemical dependency counseling programs are available for youth, adults, and families who are experiencing emotional, personal, and alcohol or drug-related problems. Services are available at multiple locations in Cortland and Madison counties and through our school-based counseling programs.

Family Counseling employs a staff of professional counselors and consulting medical personnel with diverse training and experience. It is our goal to provide superior, confidential services for the well-being of each of our clients.

“Chip Sealing” is a common pavement maintenance practice that extends pavement life and provides a good driving surface. Since some County Residents may not be familiar with the chip seal construction method, this fact sheet answers some frequently asked questions.

Please call our office at 315-366-2221. Once your request is made, our tree crew will determine if the tree is within the County Right-of-Way. Tree removal is based on the season and our current work load.

Information for upcoming bids can be found on the Purchasing Department's webpage. For technical specifications on a current bid, please call 315-366-2221 and ask to speak with our engineering department.

Birth, Marriage and Death Records are kept by City, Town and Village Clerks where the event happened. You can also obtain them by visiting the New York Vital Records Division. New York State did not require these records to be kept until the late nineteenth century, please keep in mind that if you are looking for records prior to this time frame they become much more difficult to find.

You absolutely can but we recommend that you contact the historian prior to your visit for multiple reasons. He regularly visits community organizations, schools and museums as part of his work, and may not be available. In many cases the records that researchers seek are kept in storage. If you contact us in advance he can have these items up and ready so that you can get right to researching upon your arrival.

New York State has health insurance programs for all uninsured children up to 19 years of age and some uninsured adults. Children ineligible for Medicaid may receive health services under Child Health Plus available through providers throughout Madison County. Please call 855-355-5777 for more information.

Do you or your family lack health insurance coverage? You may be eligible for medical assistance if you receive public assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or if you meet income, resource, age or disability criteria. There are special programs to help if you are pregnant or have a child. If you are pregnant, a worker at the clinic or hospital you are using for prenatal care may assist you in applying for Medicaid. If you have a child, he/she may be eligible for children's Medicaid, which provides the same benefits as Medicaid. For more information please call 315-366-2211.

Insurance benefit card or the policy (if you have any other health insurance)

Medicare Benefit Card

Proof of citizenship or alien status*

Proof of identity

Proof of where you live, like a rent receipt or landlord statement

Proof of your income from sources like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veteran's Benefits (VA), retirement

Recent paycheck stubs (if you are working)

Social Security numbers for applying household members

*Medicaid coverage is available, regardless of alien status if you are pregnant or require treatment for an emergency medical condition. A doctor must certify that you are pregnant or had an emergency and you must meet all other eligibility requirements. For more information please call 315-366-2211.

Transitional Medical Assistance is a program that provides continued medical assistance coverage to people who become ineligible for family assistance and who have a dependent child under the age of 21 living with them. Transitional MA benefits are available for 12 months to those who lose family assistance due to:

In New York State, if you spend a lot on doctor’s visits, prescriptions, insurance premiums or other healthcare services, but have income over the Medicaid limits, you may still qualify under the Medicaid Spend Down Program (also called the Medicaid Excess Income Program). In other words, you will need to show that you spend enough on health care that it puts your income down below the Medicaid limits.

When you meet your spend down on a monthly basis, you can receive outpatient services within the month you meet it. You can also receive inpatient services if you meet your spend down for six (6) months at a time. You do not need to meet your spend down each month, only the months that you will need it.

There are a number of ways to meet your spend down, such as with unpaid or paid medical bills you have incurred or paying it directly to the Department of Social Services. Any specific questions should be directed to a Medicaid worker. For more information please call 315-366-2211.

Medicaid has co-pays for certain services they provide. If you are unable to pay these, your provider can bill you, but you are still responsible for them. Children under 21 and pregnant women (until 60 days postpartum) are exempt from paying co-pays.

You are responsible to pay a maximum of up to $200 in a co-pay year. Your year begins on April 1 and ends March 31 each year. If you reach your maximum of $200, a letter will be sent to you exempting you from paying Medicaid co-payments until April 1. For more information please call 315-366-2211.

The course sponsor should mail you a completion certificate within 45 days after you complete the course. If you present your certificate to your insurance company or agent within 90 days after course completion, your liability and collision premium reduction will begin immediately, retroactive to the date you completed the course. If you present your certificate more than 90 days after course completion, the insurer may issue the premium discount effective from the date presented.

If you do not receive your certificate within eight weeks after completion, immediately contact the program sponsor. You may take the course once every 36 months to maintain insurance reduction benefits.

The PIRP sponsor will notify the DMV within ten weeks after you complete the course. A notice will then be entered on your driving record, and the DMV computer will automatically reduce your active point total by up to four points. Important: Completion of a course under the "Point & Insurance Reduction Program" does not remove, delete, subtract, or erase any violation, conviction, or notice of original number of points from your driving record. Even after you complete the course, most violations, conviction and points assessed will continue to show on your driving record for up to four years. Violations and convictions involving drugs or alcohol will remain on your driving record for ten years. "Point reduction" means the DMV will not count up to four points on your driving record toward license revocation or suspension.

If you need to verify the course completion has been entered on your record, you may request a copy of your driving record from the DMV. To do so, you can order your driving record online, or complete a "Request for Driver and / or Vehicle Record Information" (form MV-15), available at any motor vehicle office.

If your course completion is not noted on your driving record more than ten weeks after you completed it, contact the course sponsor.

Beginning in 2009, you will have two options for completing the PIRP course. Your options will be the traditional classroom method or an Alternate Delivery Method (ADM), such as the Internet or other DMV approved method. Regardless of the delivery method, each course is at least six hours long. (Note: The motorcycle safety / accident prevention courses take substantially longer and are only available in a classroom setting.) Essential information about traffic safety issues such as driver attitude and behavior, defensive driving techniques, and the Vehicle and Traffic Law must be presented in each course. For both the classroom and ADM methods, additional content, approach, materials and fees vary from one sponsor to the next.

Information specific to the classroom course:

The course is presented in one or more classroom sessions and attendance is mandatory. No formal testing is required to complete the course. For information on where to attend a course, consult your local telephone book under "Driving Instruction" or equivalent sections. You may also contact one of the program sponsors presented in the DMV publication, "List of Course Sponsors" (C-31), available at any state or county motor vehicle office and by request from DMV Call Center. The information is also available on the department website.

Information specific to the alternate delivery method:

The course will be a minimum 320 minutes. Once you register with a sponsor, you have up to 30 days to complete the course. During the course, you will be asked to identify yourself with information given at registration. To ensure that you are taking the course, you will also be asked questions regarding the content. It is possible that you will be asked to register in person and / or take an exam at the end to once again ensure you are the one who completed the course. Each sponsor's method is different, so you should contact the sponsor to determine which course best fits your needs. You can contact approved ADM course sponsors presented in the DMV publication, "List of Course Sponsors" (C-31), available at any state or county motor vehicle office and by request from the DMV Call Center. The most up-to-date information regarding who is approved to provide the alternate delivery method is available on the department website.

Point reduction applies only to points assessed for violations that occurred within the eighteen months immediately before course completion. It does not affect points for earlier violations, and cannot be used as "credit" against future violations or points.

Point reduction cannot reduce your point total lower than zero.

If your license has already been revoked or suspended, or if a violation hearing has already been scheduled, point reduction will not affect that action.

Point reduction does not prevent or cancel a mandatory revocation or suspension for violations such as DWI, DWAI, or three speeding violations within 18 months.

Points may be reduced only once in any 18-month period. The DMV point system and insurance company "point" systems are separate and not related. Point reduction on your driving record does not affect points assigned by your insurance company for violations and accidents.

Completion of a course under the "Point & Insurance Reduction Program" also cannot prevent or reduce the calculation of points affecting a "Driver Responsibility Assessment." The most recent information about the "Driver Responsibility Assessment" program is available from the DMV Internet Office.

No. Insurance reduction does not prevent general premium increases, or premium increases due to violations or accidents. It provides a 10% reduction for three years, from the base rate of your current liability, no-fault and collision premiums.

Probation is a sentence imposed by a criminal or family court. In general, probationers are released in the community without serving a period of incarceration, although in certain circumstances, they may be sentenced to both local incarceration as well as probation. Probation is administered in individual counties in New York State or, in New York City, by city government.

Parole is community supervision that follows a term of incarceration in a state prison. These offenders are supervised by parole officers. Parole is a function of New York State government.

The length of a probation term is determined by New York State Law and depends on the offender's conviction. The term for a B misdemeanor is one year, an A misdemeanor is usually 3 years and most felonies are 5 years. However, some sexually-related offenses carry longer probation sentences.

Judges may sentence an offender directly to a term of probation or may impose a split sentence under which a period of incarceration at the beginning of the supervision period is a condition of the probation sentence.

A Person in Need of Supervision is a person less than 18 years of age who does not attend school in accordance with the education law or who is incorrigible, ungovernable, or habitually disobedient and beyond the control of a parent or other person legally responsible for the child, or who possesses or uses illegal or controlled substances.

Most probationers are required to maintain law-abiding behavior, report for supervision and answer reasonable inquiries by the probation officer. Additionally, depending on the individual circumstances, probationers may be required to: attend substance abuse, mental health, sex offender or other types of counseling; remain abstinent from alcohol and drugs; submit to drug and alcohol testing; abide by a curfew; pay restitution; remain employed or in school; maintain a stable residence, or abide by other conditions related to their rehabilitation.

Many factors are considered when a probationer violates the terms of supervision, including the seriousness of the violation and the history of the offender. Sanctions, generally imposed by the sentencing judge, can range from increased supervision to incarceration.

If that individual is supervised by the Madison County Probation Department, the officer supervising that probationer should be notified at 315-366-2351. Please be aware that much of the information pertaining to an offender's term of supervision is confidential and cannot be shared with the individual making the complaint. Additionally, if the complaint is related to the commission of a new crime, a report should be made directly to the police as they are able to respond most quickly.

Anyone convicted of a designated sex offense must register. After conviction, a letter will be sent from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services which explains registration responsibilities. Failure to register as required is a felony-level crime.

If you were not granted a Certificate of Relief at the time of sentencing, and have not served time in a state prison, then a Certificate of Relief must be applied for from the sentencing court. If you did serve time in a state prison, then you must apply through the NYS Board of Parole.

Payments can be made in person at the Madison County Probation Department Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or can be mailed to the department at P.O. Box 23, Wampsville, NY 13163. Acceptable forms of payment are cash (exact amounts only), money order, and certified check. Credit or debit cards are now accepted, either online or by calling: 888-604-7888 (Pay Location Code 6373). Personal checks may be accepted in some circumstances.

If you are requesting an Order of Protection through Madison County Family Court, a probation officer at the Madison County Probation Department will assist you in completing the necessary paperwork. An officer is available for this purpose Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

After the paperwork is completed, it is forwarded to the Family Court. In most instances, the petition will then be heard by a judge of the Family Court. Please be aware that if you are requesting an Order of Protection on an emergency basis, you will be expected to wait to be seen by the judge.

Consequently, you should allow sufficient time for this process to be completed. Additionally, only petitions through the Family Court can be sought through the probation department.

See Intake Services for a list of individuals permitted to initiate a family offense proceeding. In all other situations, an Order of Protection must be sought through the local criminal court.

A fine is a monetary penalty ordered by the Court, payable to the Court or at the Madison County Clerk's office as ordered. Restitution is compensation to a victim as ordered by the Court, payable to the Madison County Probation Department for dispersal to the victim or victims.

If it is during a payment period, call your local Tax Collector to find out about the current tax bill. If it is not in a payment period and you want to know if there are delinquencies on a property, call the Madison County Treasurer's Office at 315-366-2371. For residents of the City of Oneida, contact the City Chamberlain's Office at 315-363-7399.

If you want to know what exemptions are on your property, you may call either your local Assessor or the Madison County Office of Real Property Tax Services. If you would like to apply for an exemption, forms are available on the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance (link is external) website. For information about how to complete a form, contact your local Assessor. All forms must arrive at your Assessor's office by 1 March for everyone except those living in the City of Oneida. City of Oneida forms must be in by 1 May.

Call the Madison County Office of Real Property Tax Services and ask to speak with the Tax Mapper or, if they are not available, the Director. They will review your property and explain any circumstances that they are aware of. Generally, modifications to the tax maps are only done if there is a certified survey available. If you have a survey, you may bring it to the Madison County Office of Real Property Tax Services for review.

In general, the Real Property office provides assistance in understanding how land taxes apply to your property and maintains a listing of property ownership based on records filed with the Madison County Clerk's Office. The Real Property and Clerk's offices cannot provide legal assistance or perform surveys of a property as these activities are governed by NYS legal certification requirements. If you have questions about transferring property, you should contact an attorney practicing in NYS. For questions regarding your property boundaries or for modifying your property, you should contact a NYS licensed Surveyor. If you have general questions about subdividing your property and what is acceptable, contact your town office and ask for the Planning Department.

Your local Assessor can answer questions about how your assessment was determined. You may ask them for the comparables that were used. Comparables are other properties that are considered similar to yours which have sold recently via a fair-market transaction. Land, home and commercial assessments all have slightly different methods involved for determining value.

First, contact your Assessor to find out how they valued your property. You may provide them with any evidence supporting your claim to value. The best evidence is an independent appraisal by a NYS certified Appraiser. You may also provide the Assessor with properties you feel are comparable to yours. These properties should be in your town, in a similar neighborhood and preferably have recent arms-length sales on them.

If you provide this information to your Assessor but still do not agree with the result, you may attend Grievance (link is external) to bring your evidence before an independent Board of Assessment Review comprised of individuals who reside in your town. They will take the evidence and make a determination. If you still do not agree with the outcome, you may go to Small Claims Court (link is external) to have the assessment dispute addressed.

Cash bail can be posted at the Madison County Jail, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Photo identification is required when posting bail. No personal checks accepted.

Credit card payment is accepted as cash bail. The following cards are accepted, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. The person posting bail will be directed to contact the credit card company (GPS) to make arrangements for bail. There is a fee for this service. The fee will be added to the credit card amount. Please ask the credit card company for the fee amount. Additional online pay services are listed:

A victim can find out the status of an inmate in our jail and their release date by simply calling the jail at 315-366-2289. There is also a system available called VINELink which is an online portal to VINE, America’s number one victim notification network. VINE has been providing victims and concerned citizens with the power of information for decades, allowing these individuals to have the sense of security that they deserve. VINELink can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide the most reliable information for custody status changes and criminal case information. The VINE service provides information by phone, email, TTY, and text message where available. You may also sign up through your participating state, or county’s toll-free number.

You can request a speaker from the office of the sheriff for your group or organization. If available, a speaker can be arranged for any topic covering any of our programs. Please call 315-366-2318 for more information.

Starting June 1, 2013, cell phone violations and texting and driving violations now carry 5 points (up from 3). A cell phone violation occurs when a driver uses a phone without a hands-free device. A texting and driving violation occurs when a driver “uses” an electronic device while driving. The terms “use,” “electronic device” and “while driving” are all construed liberally meaning that you cannot even hold your device while behind the wheel of a car that is not parked. Find more information about the New York State Cell Phone Law.

Money Orders in the inmate's name, no food, no clothes, no bookmarks or plastic cards, no smelly paper, no phone cards, you should always be cautious sending cash money through the mail. Rule of Thumb: If you are not sure, then don't send it. For more information please call 315-366-2300.

Yes, your children can get a Sheriff ID. Anyone under 18 wanting to get a Sheriff ID needs to be accompanied by an adult (parent or legal guardian) with a photo ID, and proof of address (legal guardians will also need court documentation of guardianship). Please call 315-366-2406 for more information.

A FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) is required for the release of arrest records. The fee is $0.25 per page for documents and any photos are $5 each. Please call the Records Office at 315-366-2475 for more information.

Criminal Background Checks are preformed for employment, adoption and personal reasons. The fee for employment and personal backgrounds are $10. Please call the Records Office at 315-366-2475 for more information.

Civilian fingerprinting is done through the Pistol Permit Office. Fingerprint cards must be furnished by the requesting person. There is a fee for them, as well. Please contact the Pistol Permit Office (315-366-2406) for more information.

Copies of incident reports may be obtained by contacting the Records Office at 315-366-2475. They can be mailed or picked up. There is a fee of $0.25 per page, and these must be requested in writing with the fee enclosed. It should be noted that availability of an accident report takes approximately 7 to 10 days from the date of the accident.

Lost/Stolen Plate forms (MV-78B) may be obtained from the Records Office during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. until Noon, and 1 until 5 p.m.). A registration or license plate number must be provided. Please contact the non-emergency MCSO line at 315-366-2311 to report the incident to police.

Yes, under the following conditions: Exit polls cannot be conducted in the polling place. It MUST be conducted outside the 100 ft radial, and the organization must abide by all other rules that apply to electioneering. The poll can not interfere with voting procedures. The organization may only poll voters who are leaving the polling place, and thus have already voted. The organization must inform the voters that their cooperation is voluntary. Above all, remember that the Board of Elections and its Inspectors have complete control over all activities in and around the polling place. (Election Law, 8-104)

If you need some help because you are disabled or cannot read the ballot, the ImageCast has a Ballot Marking Device (BMD) that allows you to vote the ballot independently with an audio device, tactile controls and a large monitor. If you prefer to hand-mark the ballot you may have a friend or relative assist you in the ballot marking booth. Election Inspectors at the polling place are also available to help you.

No. Once you register in a county, you will remain registered at that address. Name, address or party enrollment changes can be made by submitting a new registration application. If you move outside of the county, you need to re-register in your new county.

While the polls are open, no person shall do any electioneering within 100 radial feet of the entrance to the polls. There can be no political banner, button, hat, t-shirt, poster or placard within that 100 feet.

Any candidate, political party or independent body whose candidates’ name appears on the ballot has the right to designate a registered voter within their county of residence to serve as a poll watcher. The chairman of above said parties shall appoint watchers. A signed certificate by one of these groups will serve as sufficient evidence and must be given to the election inspectors. Each watcher must be named on the certificate and separate certificates are needed for each polling place.

In New York State, most candidates get on the ballot by filing a petition containing a specified number of signatures. The required amount varies, depending on the office sought and whether the candidate is seeking a party nomination or a spot on the ballot as an independent. In Madison County some candidates running for town / village offices on the Democratic line will be nominated at a caucus. For more information visit ‘Candidate Information’.

If you have moved within Madison County fill out a registration form with your new address and send it to us. After the form is processed you will receive a new card confirming the change and telling you where your new polling place is. If you move out of Madison County, you need to register in your new County.

Registered voters may apply for a change of enrollment by filling out a new registration card with their new enrollment checked. The new party enrollment can be filed at the Board of Elections office anytime during the year, but will not be effective until one week after the General Election of that year. If the change is filed less than 25 days before the General Election, it will go into effect one week after the General Election of the following year.

After signing the pollbook at the Inspector table, you will be handed a paper ballot and a privacy folder and directed to the ballot marking booths. Review the ballot and select your candidates and proposals by completely filling in the voting ovals by the candidate’s name with the marker provided. If you change your mind or make a mistake, you may return the ballot to the Inspectors and receive a new one. Once you are satisfied with your ballot, place it in the ImageCast scanner to cast your vote.

You should receive a postcard from the Board of Elections some time in August, telling you where to vote. Watch for it! It will also indicate your election district number which you need to know on Election Day. You can also visit ‘Where do I Vote’. Please call our office immediately if you feel the district / poll site information is incorrect.

Jurors are drawn from list of state taxpayers and licensed drivers as well as from voter registration rolls. Do not give up your right to vote in the hope that you will avoid jury duty. Chances are if you pay taxes or drive a car you will still be called. Besides, serving on a jury is a privilege, one that permits you to personally stand up for all Americans' right to trial by a jury of their peers.

Yes, any persons younger than the age of 16 on Election Day may accompany a qualified voting parent or guardian into the voting area. The parent or guardian must provide appropriate supervision so that he/she does not interfere with the orderly process of voting. (Election Law, Conduct of Elections 8-106)

Yes, if a registered voter does not have sufficient time outside of his working hours, all employers must provide a time not to exceed two hours absence from work with pay to let employees vote. Sufficient time consists of 4 consecutive hours either before or after work in conjunction with poll hours.

Whether or not you sign a petition is a personal choice. Some people refuse to sign petitions. However, the reluctance to sign petitions makes it difficult for potential candidates without strong political party backing to get the requisite number of signatures and run for elected office. Signing a petition is an important way to participate in the electoral process. Some people sign candidates' petitions on a first-come-first served basis, without regard for the candidates' political beliefs. This practice can result in you signing a petition for a candidate who doesn't share your political philosophies and who may have goals in government you oppose. The best way to participate in the petition process is to become familiar with the candidates before signing. If a candidate, or his/her supporter, whom you are not familiar with approaches you for your signature, you may ask some questions about the candidate's beliefs and goals. Then you will be able to make an informed decision whether or not to sign the candidate's petition. Signing a petition does not obligate you to vote for the candidate in the Primary or General Election.

When you enter the polling place, you'll see sign-in tables for one or more election districts (EDs), ballot marking booth(s), and one or more ImageCast voting systems. At the table for your ED you will be asked to sign next to a facsimile of your original signature on an alphabetical poll-list.

The majority of voters do not need to bring anything. First time voters who applied by mail and did not provide us with a verified identification (Driver’s license ID or last 4 digits of the Social Security number) may be asked to show ID. For those voters who do have to provide ID at the polls a number of forms will be accepted. Either a current and valid photo identification with the voter’s name and picture (such as passports, driver’s license, or student identification card), a Social Security number, or else a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows the name and address of the voter will be accepted.

Please ask the Inspectors to call our office at 315-366-2231 and we can check your eligibility. If you are not on the poll-list, it may be because your registration form was not received or, for a primary, because you aren't enrolled in a party. If you believe that you are eligible you can ask for an affidavit ballot. After the election the Board of Elections will check its records and your affidavit ballot will be counted if you are indeed eligible to vote. If not, you will receive a notice that you are not eligible and the registration application on the affidavit envelope will be used to register you for future elections. Or you can see a judge (contact through the Board of Elections) and ask for a court order to vote on the machine.

A primary is an election that may take place within each of New York State's official political parties. It precedes the General Election and provides enrolled political party members the opportunity to nominate their party's candidates for elected office as well as to elect various party officials. However, if there is no contest, there is no primary.

An Emergency ballot is used if the ImageCast scanner becomes inoperable during an election. These ballots are deposited in the Emergency Ballot slot on the ImageCast. If the Imagecast is working again before the election is over the ballots may be counted by the scanner at the end of the day (deposited by two Inspectors) and added in with the election night totals. An Affidavit ballot is used when a voter's name has been omitted from the poll books. These voters must swear that they are a registered voter and provide current and previous address, and at a primary election must include the party in which he / she is enrolled. A voter may also use an affidavit ballot to challenge his / her party enrollment stated in the poll book.

Only enrolled party members may sign petitions for candidates who seek their party's nomination. Party members may sign for only one candidate for a specific elected office. Signing two or more petitions for the same elected office invalidates the signatures. However, any registered voter living within the appropriate district may sign a petition for a candidate seeking to run as an independent in the general election as long as she / he has not already signed on behalf of another candidate.

You must be a registered voter in order to vote in the general or primary elections. To register, you must be a United States citizen, be 18 years old by the date of the election you, live at your present address for at least 30 days before an election, and not claim the right to vote elsewhere. You may not register or vote if you have been convicted of a felony and you are currently incarcerated; or you are under parole supervision.

Enrolled party members who help nominate candidates by signing petitions and voting in the primary have greater political clout than non-enrolled voters who can vote only in the General Election. Moreover, you are not obligated to vote for your party's candidate in the General Election. In November, you may vote for any candidate from any party.